Notebook: Inside the equipment bag of Chris Gimenez

Chris Gimenez can play outfield, third base and first base in addition to catcher. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

Chris Gimenez might set a franchise record before he ever plays a game for the Seattle Mariners.

His achievement? Heaviest bag, glove category.

“There’s six in my bag at all times,” Gimenez said. “Just in case.”

The 28-year-old is with the Mariners as a backup catcher, recalled from Triple-A Tacoma prior to Friday’s home opener to replace the injured Adam Moore on the 25-man roster.

But he’s also available as an outfielder, third baseman and first baseman – and “maybe a few others he hasn’t told me about,” manager Eric Wedge joked – so he comes equipped for the task.

His bag contains two outfielder’s gloves, an infielder’s glove, a first baseman’s glove and a pair of catcher’s gloves, the latter likely to warrant the most use during his time in Seattle.

“You’ve got to have a backup, just in case,” Gimenez said of his two catcher’s gloves. “There’s nothing worse than having to catch somebody like Brandon League and you don’t have your own catcher’s glove. That’s not very fun.”

Wedge said Friday that he chose Gimenez as Moore’s replacement instead of Josh Bard because Gimenez provides more versatility, and can play those other positions if the Mariners find themselves in such a bind.

“I was really impressed with what I saw of him this spring, the way he handled himself behind the plate as well as other positions,” Wedge said. “All that came into play.”

But Gimenez, who appeared in 67 games for Wedge’s Cleveland Indians in 2009 – and another 29 games last year – said he expects his primary duty here will be as a backup to starting catcher Miguel Olivo.

Wedge likes knowing he can move him around if need be, though.

“I think there’s definitely a possibility of it,” Gimenez said. “Just from past experience with Wedgie, he definitely likes to throw me in different spots. If they pinch run for somebody or somebody else gets hurt or something like that, I think he likes having that extra option, the fact that he can throw me out there.”

Gimenez is coming off what he described as his best offensive spring, despite the fact that he hit just .207 (6-for-29) in 19 games. More important for him, he said, was learning how to simply do what’s needed instead of trying too hard at the plate in an attempt to earn more playing time.

“I think I got so caught up my first couple of years in the fact that I knew I wasn’t an everyday guy, so I felt like I needed to get three or four hits to be able to play the next day,” Gimenez said. “When in reality, I don’t really need to get three or four hits. I just need quality at-bats to show them I’m not a liability at the plate, and I think just kind of hearing that from (Wedge) took a little bit of weight off my shoulders at the beginning of spring.”

Good thing, too. That equipment bag seems enough of a burden on its own.

LACKING JACK

Jack Wilson wasn’t in the lineup again on Saturday, sitting in favor of Adam Kennedy for a second consecutive day as Wedge debates whether and when Wilson might be a viable option at second base again.

Wilson (now infamously) removed himself from Wednesday’s loss to Texas after botching two potential double-play balls. But he told reporters afterward that it was Wedge’s decision to take him out, which was untrue, and Wedge said as much during his pre-game media session on Friday.

Wilson confirmed in a contrite, pre-game clubhouse chat with reporters on Friday that he did, indeed, remove himself from Wednesday’s game, then further clarified after Friday’s 12-3 loss that he never meant to disrespect Wedge by offering a conflicting version of the day’s events.

Instead, Wilson said, he was just trying to go along with what he thought Wedge’s stance was, unaware that Wedge had tried to cover for him by telling reporters that Wilson left the game because he was feeling “hazy.”

The two spoke after batting practice on Friday, and Wilson said he intends to address the matter with his teammates, too.

“We’re working through it,” Wedge said. “I think there was a lot that happened yesterday, and it’s unfortunate that that was such a focus yesterday. That’s one of the things that pisses me off about it. But ultimately, we’ll continue to work through it. When I feel like we’re to the point where we can count on him, he’ll be back in there. I’ll let you know.”

There’s a couple ways to look at that. The “point where we can count on him” part could have a double-meaning – Wilson not only needs to earn back the trust of his teammates after breaking one of baseball’s unwritten rules, but he also needs to prove he’s comfortable enough to play second base.

It’s been a rough transition to the other side of the diamond for the career shortstop, and Wilson said Friday he needs more work at second to feel confident that he can help the team there.

“When you let them down like I did that day, you’ve got to earn that back,” Wilson said. “I’m coming in here to work just like every other day, but that’s something that needs to be earned.”

WORM BURNERS

Ryan Langerhans walked in all four of his plate appearances on Friday, the first Mariner to do that since Edgar Martinez walked five times against Texas on June 24, 2004. … The Mariners are now 21-14 in home openers. Friday’s 12-3 loss to Cleveland was the worst loss in a home opener in franchise history. … Wedge said reliever Tom Wilhelmsen won’t be available for Saturday’s game, but seemed pleased overall with how his bullpen fared on Friday after starter Jason Vargas lasted just 3.1 innings. … Felix Hernandez Cy Young Bobblehead dolls were given to the first 20,000 fans to arrive at Saturday’s game.